Sandy damages aquarium, but animals survive storm

Nov. 18, 2012

Cindy Claus, Director of Jenkinson's Aquarium, was the recipient of the Education Award for her efforts to create programs that have educated tens of thousand of citizens about the importance of marine life. Ship Ahoy Beach Club in Sea Bright, hosts the Clean Ocean Action's annual seaside fundraiser, Family Beach Ball for the Ocean, Sunday, May 23, 2010. / Mary Frank /Staff Photographer

“The entire contents of the basement were washed out by the ocean into the parking lot and adjoining neighborhood,” she said.

But the flooding never reached the ground level floor, the aquarium director said.

Operating in darkness and with minimal generator power for filtration systems, caretakers reduced the food given to animals to slow fouling of the water, she said.

“We were down to the bare bones as far as filtration in some of those tanks, especially in the beginning days when we were on those little generators,” said Claus. “We actually continued to monitor the water quality” through battery- and generator-powered testers, she added.

The team had practiced hurricane procedures in the past due to the aquarium’s boardwalk location. After Hurricane Irene, the team had improved its storm protocols, Claus said.

But few New Jersey residents were prepared for the long crisis superstorm Sandy would cause, as mile-long gasoline lines and fuel rationing went into effect in the days that followed.

“The first couple of days we were having trouble finding supplies,” said Toby Wolf, spokeswoman for Jenkinson’s.

For animals dependent on generators to breathe, the situation was serious. With calls for help out to local media, Team Sandy began accepting donations of fuel and supplies from the public.

It was two weeks before the aquarium would return to normal. Electricity was finally restored to the building on Nov. 12, Wolf and Claus said.

“The animals have fared very well,” Claus said. “We were very lucky that they were able to handle as much as they did.”

Claus said that though no animals have died, aquarium staff are monitoring their conditions.

It is unknown at this time when the facility will reopen to the public.